Poster boy Jim Parsons WINS!

How cool. Asperger’s poster boy Jim Parsons has won an emmy for his role as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series.

'The Big Bang Theory' cast also supports the Alzheimer's Association.

I applaud this talented comic who has been a real ambassador for geeks and people with Asperger’s everywhere. Along with the cast and creators of the hit show, he’s helped shift the public image of those afflicted with such ‘syndromes’ (sigh). It’s more common now to see them as bearing certain gifts and talents and making a positive contribution to society albeit with their so-called ‘fixations’ and sometimes embarrassing or inconvenient honesty. Yay.

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Several viewers have noted that Sheldon’s behavior is consistent with Asperger syndrome. The writers have stated that they did not use Asperger syndrome as a basis for the character, but instead thought of his actions as “Sheldony”. Series co-creator Bill Prady stated: “We write the character as the character. A lot of people see various things in him and make the connections. Our feeling is that Sheldon’s mother never got a diagnosis, so we don’t have one”.

In an interview, Jim Parsons noted the writers’ response, but added that in his opinion, Sheldon “couldn’t display more traits” of Asperger’s. Parsons has read John Elder Robison’s memoir Look Me in the Eye about his life with Asperger syndrome, and said that: “A majority of what I read in that book touched on aspects of Sheldon”. However, he also stated that “the way [Sheldon’s] brain works, it’s so focused on the intellectual topics at hand that thinking he’s autistic is an easy leap for people watching the show to make”.

As a high school teacher who’s taught a few students who’ve been diagnosed with Asperger’s, I’d have to say that the writers have done a fine job, intentional or not, of presenting the disorder. I’ve cherished my time with these students, as they have a way of expressing themselves with an honesty from which we all might learn. Big learning experience for me.